Edgartown selectmen voted Monday to extend the bay scalloping season in Katama Bay for an additional two weeks to account for available scallops and lost fishing days because of the weather.
Edgartown selectmen voted Monday to extend the bay scalloping season in Katama Bay for an additional two weeks to account for available scallops and lost fishing days because of the weather.
Shellfish constable Paul Bagnall said the shellfish committee voted 3-0 last week to extend the scallop season in all areas until Friday, April 13. The season had been scheduled to end March 31.
Mr. Bagnall said eight to 12 boats are going out each day and getting their catch limits within four hours, and fishermen that attended the shellfish committee meeting requested the extension to make up for lost time during storms.
“We do have scallops in Katama, in the harbor area,” Mr. Bagnall told selectmen.
Selectmen approved the extension, and agreed to commercial fisherman Donny Benefit’s request to limit scalloping to Katama Bay and close Cape Pogue to scalloping starting March 31.
Mr. Benefit said Cape Pogue had healthy scallop seed and not many scallops.
Selectmen also approved a commercial oyster season on Edgartown Great Pond from Thursday, March 29 to Friday, May 11. The commercial limit will be two 10-gallon wash baskets per day including shells, he said, and fishing limited to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Oysters can be harvested by rakes or tongs only in Edgartown Great Pond.
In a written update provided to selectmen, Mr. Bagnall said that Edgartown Great Pond has been opened to the ocean after a period of extreme high water following March storms. Mr. Bagnall thanked selectmen and staff for fielding calls from concerned residents, and the Edgartown Great Pond Foundation for their help.
He said the pond is salty enough for oyster harvest and oysters are in good supply in the pond.
In other business, selectmen approved an alteration of premises and transfer of stock and change of beneficial interest for l’etoile restaurant on the corner of North Water street and Winter street. Owner and chef Michael Brisson said the bar at l’etoile is being expanded by 12 seats to a 31-seat capacity. The expansion is in coordination with a large renovation and addition at The Sydney Hotel, where l’etoile is located.
Selectmen also approved a transfer of liquor license for Harbor View Hotel, which was recently sold. Attorney Sean Murphy, who was representing the new owners, said the hotel will continue to be run by Scout Hotels and there will be no substantial changes until the fall, when the hotel plans to seek permission to close for substantial renovations.
In other business selectmen approved the removal of two public shade trees near the Sydney Hotel property, a Norwood maple and a horse chestnut. Agent Gerret Conover, who was representing Mr. Hajjar, said one tree was in a tight space by the sidewalk and the other was damaged. The trees will be replaced.
Tree warden Stuart Fuller said he approved the proposal. Ann Floyd wrote a letter in opposition to the trees’ removal.
Selectmen also scheduled a taxi hearing for April 23 in response to MV Taxi’s request to amend their rate fare structure with the addition of metered fare system; approved Hy-Line ferry service between Edgartown and Falmouth for the food and wine festival Oct. 18 to Oct. 21 and during Christmas in Edgartown; and appointed Peter Rosbeck Jr. to a new regional high school committee that will focus on the school building needs.

Comments
Good to see we're replacing
Professor Fuller DeerfieldGood to see we're replacing the trees taken down. Shows environmental responsibility.
I don’t understand why some
D. Balz EdgartownI don’t understand why some people can remove trees and other people can’t. What is protected and what isn’t? Seems like a lot of wasted tax payers money on tree discussion and who can and who cannot cut down trees in Edgartown.
All of this fuss over the
Peter M EdgartownAll of this fuss over the Linden tree and the yellow house. Where is the outrage over the Chestnut tree that was removed at the request of Mr. Conover. Back when the Halls owned the yellow house, the Linden tree was protected while Mr. Conover was allowed to clear cut the property on South Water Street. Coincidentally, Mr. Donaroma was awarded the rich landscape contract. The rich get richer and
the selectmen rule based on their relationships.
If you read the part about
Angela Fisher EdgartownIf you read the part about the bay scallop season you'll see a few things that do NOT seem quite right!!!
It says at the shellfish meeting it was voted to extend scalloping in cape podge due to loss of fishing time due to weather. And that Paul Bagnall said 8-12 boats are going out everyday and getting their limits within 4 hours.....I am 1 of those fishermen. But because Donnie Benefit says there aren't many adults it overrides Paul Bagnall and all the other fishermen that voted to have it extended. Something smells FISHY .....Hey Donnie gimme a call and I'll take you out and teach you how to catch scallops because if you aren't catching plenty of adults in cape pouge right now you don't know what your doing, maybe it's time to retire!
I was disappointed to learn
D .. Berube EdgartownI was disappointed to learn that the selectmen didn’t go with the recommendation of the unanimous vote of the shellfish committee and support of the shellfish constable. Their recommendation was to extend the scallop season to all Edgartown waters. Contrary to Mr. Benefit’s opinion there are several of us fishermen that think there are quite a few adult scallops left to be caught in Cape Pogue.
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